Albert M. Camarillo is widely regarded as one of the founding scholars of the field of Mexican American history and Chicano Studies. He has been a member of the Stanford University history faculty since 1975, and has served as the President of the Organization of American Historians. Camarillo has published numerous books and essays that examine the experiences of Mexican Americans and other racial and immigrant groups in American cities.

• Prologue1. My Barrio Playground2. El Norte, a New Beginning3. Growing Up, Chicano Style4. Chasing California Dreams5. Barrio Boy's New Neighborhood6. Changing Westside Colors7. A Different Westside Story8. Eastside Racial Tensions9. Early UCLA Days10. Awakening to Social Activism11. Authentic Freedom12. A New Lens on Compton13. Uncovering a Hidden Past14. Affirmative Action Baby15. Opening the Higher Ed Door Wider16. Building Families17. Challenges to Equality18. Compton on My Mind19. Detour to Homecoming20. Our Town, Our Kids21. Generations of Changemakers

"Camarillo's impactful life, his decades of agenda-setting scholarship and extraordinary dedication to teaching showcase an academic career committed to political activism yet imbued with gentility and generosity. In an era of political polarization and a sloppy disregard for evidence among some partisans, his book provides a refreshing antidote and useful model."—Lorena Oropeza, Los Angeles Times "[T]he book imparts a wealth of information about the effects of segregation and the struggle for racial equality in America. Its stories highlight the importance of family and community solidarity; the pivotal events of the transformative, turbulent 1960s and beyond; and the successful efforts of forward-thinking minority educators to see ethnic studies included among university programs. [A]n inspirational memoir."—Kristine Morris, Foreword Reviews "This profound memoir showcases Al Camarillo's great heart and extraordinary ability to find common cause amid diversity. His compelling storytelling seamlessly weaves threads of racial and ethnic history into the rich tapestry of our shared human experience."—Natalia Molina, author of A Place at the Nayarit: How a Mexican Restaurant Nourished a Community "Albert Camarillo is one of the nation's most distinguished historians. Compton in My Soul shares a raw, intimate portrait of his extraordinary life—and rewrites the American story through his insights as a Brown boy from Compton. A breathtaking tale of love, struggle, and community."—Kelly Lytle Hernández, author of Bad Mexicans: Race, Empire, and Revolution in the Borderlands "Al Camarillo has been a mentor, role model, and inspiring educator to thousands of students over decades. His life's journey reminds us of the wonderful progress America has made toward racial equality and also inspires us to keep working hard to close the gaps that still exist."—Julián Castro, Former U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development "A rare, behind-the-scenes view into a lifelong commitment to social justice and path to academic excellence. Al Camarillo shares his passion and tells a stunning life story of emerging from a multiracial working-class Compton barrio and becoming one of the most influential Chicano historians of his generation."—George J. Sánchez, author of Boyle Heights: How a Los Angeles Neighborhood Became the Future of American Democracy

Albert M. Camarillo is widely regarded as one of the founding scholars of the field of Mexican American history and Chicano Studies. He has been a member of the Stanford University history faculty since 1975, and has served as the President of the Organization of American Historians. Camarillo has published numerous books and essays that examine the experiences of Mexican Americans and other racial and immigrant groups in American cities.

• Prologue1. My Barrio Playground2. El Norte, a New Beginning3. Growing Up, Chicano Style4. Chasing California Dreams5. Barrio Boy's New Neighborhood6. Changing Westside Colors7. A Different Westside Story8. Eastside Racial Tensions9. Early UCLA Days10. Awakening to Social Activism11. Authentic Freedom12. A New Lens on Compton13. Uncovering a Hidden Past14. Affirmative Action Baby15. Opening the Higher Ed Door Wider16. Building Families17. Challenges to Equality18. Compton on My Mind19. Detour to Homecoming20. Our Town, Our Kids21. Generations of Changemakers

"Camarillo's impactful life, his decades of agenda-setting scholarship and extraordinary dedication to teaching showcase an academic career committed to political activism yet imbued with gentility and generosity. In an era of political polarization and a sloppy disregard for evidence among some partisans, his book provides a refreshing antidote and useful model."—Lorena Oropeza, Los Angeles Times "[T]he book imparts a wealth of information about the effects of segregation and the struggle for racial equality in America. Its stories highlight the importance of family and community solidarity; the pivotal events of the transformative, turbulent 1960s and beyond; and the successful efforts of forward-thinking minority educators to see ethnic studies included among university programs. [A]n inspirational memoir."—Kristine Morris, Foreword Reviews "This profound memoir showcases Al Camarillo's great heart and extraordinary ability to find common cause amid diversity. His compelling storytelling seamlessly weaves threads of racial and ethnic history into the rich tapestry of our shared human experience."—Natalia Molina, author of A Place at the Nayarit: How a Mexican Restaurant Nourished a Community "Albert Camarillo is one of the nation's most distinguished historians. Compton in My Soul shares a raw, intimate portrait of his extraordinary life—and rewrites the American story through his insights as a Brown boy from Compton. A breathtaking tale of love, struggle, and community."—Kelly Lytle Hernández, author of Bad Mexicans: Race, Empire, and Revolution in the Borderlands "Al Camarillo has been a mentor, role model, and inspiring educator to thousands of students over decades. His life's journey reminds us of the wonderful progress America has made toward racial equality and also inspires us to keep working hard to close the gaps that still exist."—Julián Castro, Former U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development "A rare, behind-the-scenes view into a lifelong commitment to social justice and path to academic excellence. Al Camarillo shares his passion and tells a stunning life story of emerging from a multiracial working-class Compton barrio and becoming one of the most influential Chicano historians of his generation."—George J. Sánchez, author of Boyle Heights: How a Los Angeles Neighborhood Became the Future of American Democracy

Albert M. Camarillo is widely regarded as one of the founding scholars of the field of Mexican American history and Chicano Studies. He has been a member of the Stanford University history faculty since 1975, and has served as the President of the Organization of American Historians. Camarillo has published numerous books and essays that examine the experiences of Mexican Americans and other racial and immigrant groups in American cities.

• Prologue1. My Barrio Playground2. El Norte, a New Beginning3. Growing Up, Chicano Style4. Chasing California Dreams5. Barrio Boy's New Neighborhood6. Changing Westside Colors7. A Different Westside Story8. Eastside Racial Tensions9. Early UCLA Days10. Awakening to Social Activism11. Authentic Freedom12. A New Lens on Compton13. Uncovering a Hidden Past14. Affirmative Action Baby15. Opening the Higher Ed Door Wider16. Building Families17. Challenges to Equality18. Compton on My Mind19. Detour to Homecoming20. Our Town, Our Kids21. Generations of Changemakers

"Camarillo's impactful life, his decades of agenda-setting scholarship and extraordinary dedication to teaching showcase an academic career committed to political activism yet imbued with gentility and generosity. In an era of political polarization and a sloppy disregard for evidence among some partisans, his book provides a refreshing antidote and useful model."—Lorena Oropeza, Los Angeles Times "[T]he book imparts a wealth of information about the effects of segregation and the struggle for racial equality in America. Its stories highlight the importance of family and community solidarity; the pivotal events of the transformative, turbulent 1960s and beyond; and the successful efforts of forward-thinking minority educators to see ethnic studies included among university programs. [A]n inspirational memoir."—Kristine Morris, Foreword Reviews "This profound memoir showcases Al Camarillo's great heart and extraordinary ability to find common cause amid diversity. His compelling storytelling seamlessly weaves threads of racial and ethnic history into the rich tapestry of our shared human experience."—Natalia Molina, author of A Place at the Nayarit: How a Mexican Restaurant Nourished a Community "Albert Camarillo is one of the nation's most distinguished historians. Compton in My Soul shares a raw, intimate portrait of his extraordinary life—and rewrites the American story through his insights as a Brown boy from Compton. A breathtaking tale of love, struggle, and community."—Kelly Lytle Hernández, author of Bad Mexicans: Race, Empire, and Revolution in the Borderlands "Al Camarillo has been a mentor, role model, and inspiring educator to thousands of students over decades. His life's journey reminds us of the wonderful progress America has made toward racial equality and also inspires us to keep working hard to close the gaps that still exist."—Julián Castro, Former U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development "A rare, behind-the-scenes view into a lifelong commitment to social justice and path to academic excellence. Al Camarillo shares his passion and tells a stunning life story of emerging from a multiracial working-class Compton barrio and becoming one of the most influential Chicano historians of his generation."—George J. Sánchez, author of Boyle Heights: How a Los Angeles Neighborhood Became the Future of American Democracy